by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
The Nationals were hopeful Werth would have come off the disabled list this week, but his delay was because he visited with a specialist in New York.
"They worked the hamstring very well," Rizzo said. "They found out how they wanted to work it. In doing all that work on it, they flared it up. Hopefully, it’ll make it better in the long run. But they flared it up so he didn’t want to play the next day in the minor leagues. We’re having him rest today, and he’ll start ramping up baseball activities this week."
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
Detwiler might not make his following start either, but Thursday's off-day gives the team flexibility and can keep Detwiler off the DL.
"We’re hoping he does pitch," Rizzo said of Detwiler returning to action May 26 vs. Philadelphia. "We don’t have to call up a pitcher, a starter, from the minor leagues. We’re hoping Ross can take the next start. If not, we can skip his start and guys are still on regular rest."
The Nationals, however, would need Detwiler to be ready by May 28 in order to avoid Jordan Zimmermann pitching on short rest.
"In essence, we’ll 10 or 11 days until that spot needs to pitch again," Rizzo said. "We think Ross will be okay by then."
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
He went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored as he crossed the plate in the fourth inning to score the game's sixth run.
Aviles has hit in three straight games and has gone 5 for 11 with two doubles, a homer and three runs scored over that stretch. He's batting .292.
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
Brantley singled to right in the first inning to drive in Michael Bourn for his first RBI. He added a three-run homer, his second, in the second off Hernandez. He had four RBI over his first two at-bats and that is what he finished with.
Brantley went 2 for 4 with the homer and two runs scored. He's batting .301 on the season. Brantley may have just nine extra-base hits, but he's up to 19 RBI over 153 at-bats.
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
Masterson struck out the final two batters he faced to go seven innings. He allowed three hits and two walks over 106 pitches. He threw 68 pitches for strikes to lower his ERA to 2.83. The Indians gave Masterson (7-2) plenty of support with a 6-0 lead after four innings.
Masterson has won three straight and has given up three runs over that 23-inning span with 27 Ks. He makes his next start Friday at Boston.
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
The starter entered the outing after being cleared during the week following his last outing against the Yankees when he tweaked his back. Hernandez had the shortest outing of his season as he threw 107 pitches over five innings, though it doesn't appear he was limited by the back.
Hernandez fell to 5-3 with a 2.07 ERA as he allowed six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits and two walks. He struck out eight. King Felix gave up two runs in the first inning and was down 5-0 after two as he allowed a three-run home run to Michael Brantley. Sunday marked the first time since April 11 that Hernandez allowed more than an earned run in any outing.
The 27-year-old snapped a four-game winning streak Sunday and will look to start another winning streak Saturday against Texas.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
"There's a couple things I've had trouble against lefties with, and I've just been trying to eliminate that and not even worry about that," Johnson said to MLB.com. "It's been working. I've just got to continue focusing on going up the middle and going the other way."
Johnson entered the season with a career .283 average against right-handed pitchers and a .255 average against left-handers. He's now batting .277 in his career against lefties.
"I think I used to just feel more comfortable with lefties out there, rather than having to face a tough righty," Johnson said. "I'd be like, 'Oh, I feel so good, I'm going to homer off this guy.' Then the next thing you know, I'm 0 for 4."
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
"That adds more pitches to my pitch count," Medlen told MLB.com. "I could have gone eight [innings] and handed the ball off to Craig [Kimbrel]. It's just frustrating. But the good news is I don't feel as good as I should. I felt good last night, but my delivery didn't feel as consistent as I want it to."
Medlen has issued 22 walks through 56 2/3 innings, which is one fewer than he allowed in 138 innings last year. Medlen has started to improve in May behind a 2.73 ERA in his last four starts and having gone at least seven innings in three of those outings. But he said he still needs to "clean it up a little bit."
"I think I set the bar pretty high for others," Medlen said of his performance last year. "But I also feel like I set the bar pretty high for myself. I want to be what I was last year every single time out. I'm not necessarily there yet. But I hope everything starts clicking and I can get back to just being more consistent with walks. I'd rather give up a line drive off the wall rather than walk guys."
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
Kinsler is missing time and the Rangers summoned top prospect Jurickson Profar in case the infielder is needed to fill in for the veteran Kinsler. Profar will officially be recalled if Kinsler lands on the disabled list.






